Flat Head Syndrome

Less one per cent of new mums-to-be are aware of the condition ‘plagiocephaly’, more commonly known as ‘Flat Head Syndrome’, despite the fact it is estimated to affect around half of all babies under the age of one year. Recent research from Wilkinet baby carrier shows that awareness of the condition is incredibly low and the company is now supporting a campaign to help prevent plagiocephaly.

Flat Head Syndrome is simply the name for flattening across the side or back of a baby's head. Most babies who have Plagiocephaly develop it at around 4-8 weeks of age.

• Most commonly Plagiocephaly is caused by prolonged pressure from hard surfaces, for example car seats,a hard floor or a cot mattress. Any of these can mould a babies head into an abnormal shape.
• It may be due to Torticollis, a tightening of the neck muscles.Babies who suffer from Torticollis find it almost impossible to move their heads in both directions, therefore will almost always lie on on the same side.
• However some babies are born with the condition because their head is moulded in the womb or due to birth trauma.

Treatment usually involves ensuring that the baby does not always sleep in the same position. In extreme situations a helmet may be used to reshape the baby's head. Flat Head Syndrome is not thought to endanger a child's health in any way, and is regarded as a mainly cosmetic problem.

Dawn Telfer from Plagiocephalycare, a support group set up to help those affected by the condition, said: “One of the best ways of preventing and treating plagiocephaly is by using an upright baby carrier like Wilkinet because it avoids pressure on the skull. Using the helmets, one of the iconic images of plagiocephaly is always a last resort.”

The vast majority of cases can be prevented with a little bit of information and advice. Plagiocephaly Care is campaigning for the NHS to raise awareness of the condition and for checks to be made both at birth and six weeks, with information on repositioning given routinely to parents. Only in severe cases will the HNS fund treatment such as a Cranio Remolding Helmet when repositioning treatment has not been successful.

Dawn says: “As soon as your baby comes home from hospital, you should allow your baby some time each day to play on their tummy. Tummy Time is important for normal development as well as preventing Plagiocephaly. Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep but their heads should be moved to the side, alternating each night.”

To find out more about Flat Head Syndrome visit www.plagiocephalycare.org

The Wilkinet Baby Carrier is available from www.wilkinet.com and at Babyworld

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